Under sexual abuse definitions, which combination qualifies?

Under sexual abuse definitions, which combination qualifies?

• A. Victim is less than 13 years old and the actor is 21 or older
• B. Victim is 16 and actor 18
• C. Victim is 12 and actor 18
• D. Victim is 15 and actor 25

Answer: (A)

The safety standard being tested is that sexual abuse of a minor involves sexual contact with someone under a very young age by an adult. Specifically, many definitions require the victim to be under 14 years old and the offender to be at least 21 years old. This dual age requirement helps capture the predatory nature of the offense. In the options, the only scenario that meets both conditions is the one where the victim is younger than 14 and the actor is 21 or older. The other scenarios fail because either the victim is not under 14, or the actor is not at least 21 years old. So the combination that qualifies is the case with a victim under 14 and an actor at least 21.

The safety standard being tested is that sexual abuse of a minor involves sexual contact with someone under a very young age by an adult. Specifically, many definitions require the victim to be under 14 years old and the offender to be at least 21 years old. This dual age requirement helps capture the predatory nature of the offense.

In the options, the only scenario that meets both conditions is the one where the victim is younger than 14 and the actor is 21 or older. The other scenarios fail because either the victim is not under 14, or the actor is not at least 21 years old. So the combination that qualifies is the case with a victim under 14 and an actor at least 21.